ONE RULE • THE WALKING DEAD

chapter five - maneater

Author's Note:

After this, I'm probably going to start posting once a week or every two weeks to space it out. I started this book on AO3 and eventually posted it on tumblr and here. Those versions are a little more ahead if you'd like to find them. Follow me for updates and any more projects that I might release in the future.

"I'm going to throw the fuck up," I breathed, trying to control my gag reflex. Rick groaned in response, pushing harder and I gagged again.

"Stop doing that," Glenn whined. "You're going to make me throw up."

"I'm sorry," I said with watery eyes, trying not to breathe in the scent of rotten guts filling the air. We were all standing before Rick and his axe— staring as he cut a walker's body in half.

Rick gave one last chop before handing it over to Morales. I did my best not to look at the mush of guts spread all over the floor.

After a heated discussion with Glenn, I'd agreed that it would be safer if I stayed behind, despite how badly I wanted to join him on Rick's suicide mission to escape Atlanta. So I stayed silent, helping them spread intestines all over their coats with two layers of gloves on.

I'm sure my face was turning violet from how long I was holding my breath but it was either that or vomit all over the place. The texture of the flesh was lukewarm; this walker probably wasn't even dead for long.

Glenn was beginning to hyperventilate.

"Think about something else. Puppies and kittens," offered Rick with a grimace.

"Dead puppies and kittens," T-Dog added in disgust.

I flinched, bracing myself. Glenn whipped around in horror, hurling over his shoulder instantly.

Andrea rolled her eyes and pulled away from Glenn. She fixed T-Dog with a glare. "That is just evil. What is wrong with you?"

"Next time let the cracker beat his ass," snapped Jacqui.

"I'm sorry," T-Dog backed away guiltily.

Rick cut in. "Do we smell like them?"

"Hell yeah," I answered.

"I don't think I've seen you take a single breath in the last five minutes, Daphne."

I squinted my eyes at Rick.

"It's a wonder you're still standing," he mused.

"Unless you want me to throw up on you and everyone in the vicinity, I'd rather suffocate in silence," I said stiffly.

"Glenn," I turned around to find Andrea handing off my gun. "Just in case." I didn't argue, knowing if she had returned the gun to its rightful owner, I would've done the same thing. Still, I gave her a glare.

"If we make it back, be ready," said Rick firmly.

"What about Merle Dixon?"

Rick fished out the keys from his pocket and tossed them to T-Dog.

"Give me the axe," sighed Rick. "We need more guts."

After another agonizing round of gut scooping, the two were ready to head out. Glenn glanced back at me with a terrified look. I tried to give him my most confident smile, but inside I was sort of dying too.

I shared one last look with Rick, imprinting both of their faces in my mind just in case. How is he still so handsome covered in guts?

'You got this,' I mouthed at Glenn and then Morales promptly slammed the door in my face. I rounded on him angrily.